Author's notes: sigh Wow, the last chapter has come at last. Well, not really "at last", I mean, I think we've all been dreading the end since the beginning (I know I have at least).
But now is the time to look forward to the prequel, and, now that it's been decided that there will be one, the sequel.
Yes, there is now to be a sequel as well as a prequel. Writing those, as well as trying to update my fairly neglected fics, will be my next challenge.
Edit (Added May 2,05): As mentioned before, not quite sure when teh prequel and sequel will be going, but I'll try to getthem up soon.
I don't entirely know what the prequel or sequel will be called yet, so I can't tell you. If you'd like to know when they get posted, either add me to your author alert list (if you haven't already done so, lol), or leave your e-mail in your review (because you're all going to review, right? Lol).
Anyways, on the topic of titles, if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the "to the author" forum at the fanmail site. You can get the adress from my profile (if all goes well that is), as it's not allowing me to post it here. I've happened to notice that we haven't had many new members..where are all you guys? Lol, Selina informed me the other day that she was getting no mail other than that from Kevin.
Heh, oh well..I suppose you've all got your reasons. But please do consider joining, It's rather fun, and there's always stuff to be answered (polls and such).
Anyways. As I said earlier, this will be the last chapter of this part of what has now become a series. It will also be the most musical chapter, consisting of four songs. These songs are "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel, "Only Time" by Enya, "Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins, and "Don't Worry" by Appleton.
Edit (May 2, 05): Once agian, the song lyrics have been removed. Removing all these is proving to be somewhat of an adventure, lol.
Anyways, I should probably just end this here, and get on with the story because, with the four songs, it's going to be a long one.
An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: I'm glad you liked Isidora. She appears again in this chapter, in a, as you know, rather interesting situation. Hope you like it. As for the link thing..I already explained how to get it to work in this chapter, lol.
-Mariel the Smart: lol, I wasn't planning on telling my "non Canadian friend" about this unless he asked for it (which would mean you'd told him about it, lol). I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and hope you like this one too, lol.
-Rebecca89: Whoops, I've done that before..for REALLY long reviews too. Either that or it simply doesn't' go through, I hate it when that happens. Lol, I'm sure you could write the 7 pages if you tried, sometimes it can be all too easy, as I've found out the hard way. Plus, there's the song in the last chapter, which adds a bit of length. I'm glad you like the story and find it unique, yours is pretty unique too. I mean, I'm sure there's stories LIKE that out there, but your take on it is quite different, and makes it captivating and everything. Hee hee hee, guess I'm updating at a good time, because you haven't bugged me on IM yet, lol.
-Darkness and the light: lol, your spelling is fine, my typing is REALLY bad, so I know the feeling. And thanks for the muffins, lol.
Chapter 24: A New Life
The years passed quickly and Selina and Kevin quite enjoyed their time together.
They soon found themselves facing the nearing of the end of their final year at Hogwarts.
Kevin had grown quite mysterious around Selina lately, causing Selina to become suspicious. However, no matter how often she asked what he was up to, he wouldn't say a word.
The night before everyone was to leave for home, Kevin said goodnight to Selina, watched her go up to her dorm, waited a while to make sure she wouldn't come back, then headed off to see Severus.
When he arrived at Severus' office, he knocked on the door.
"Come in." Severus said from inside.
Kevin entered, closed the door, and then sat down across from Severus.
"Ahh, Kevin. What brings you here?" Severus asked.
"Well, I came to ask you something. Actually, it's more something of you." Kevin replied.
"Ask away." Severus said.
"Well, sir, I love your daughter with all my heart, and I'd like to do this properly, so I came to ask your permission to allow me to ask her to marry me." Kevin replied. He spoke quite confidently, but was quite nervous on the inside.
Severus looked quite taken aback. He had expected this to come up eventually, but hadn't expected it so soon.
"You wish to marry Selina?" He asked.
Kevin nodded.
"With your permission."
"And what, may I ask, sets you apart from any other young man who might ask for her hand?" Severus asked.
Kevin thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully.
"Absolutely nothing, sir." He replied, realising that that was all he could say honestly.
Severus smiled.
"Then you have my permission. When do you plan to ask her?"
Kevin was slightly confused.
"Tomorrow on the train, but sir, why are you giving me your permission so easily if nothing sets me apart from anyone else?"
"Because you were honest enough to admit it, when others would try to impress me by lying." Severus replied with a smile.
"Thank you, sir." Kevin said, standing to leave.
"Please, call me Severus. You are no longer my student and are possibly my future son in law, there is no need for formality. I wish you luck." Severus said, getting up and showing Kevin to the door.
Kevin smiled.
"Alright, and thanks again, for everything."
The next day, Selina went to say goodbye to her father before leaving for home. She noticed that he hugged her a little tighter than usual.
"You sure you don't want me to stay and give you a hand?" She asked.
Severus smiled and released her.
"Of course not, I'll be fine. You go on home and enjoy yourself. No wild parties, mind you." He replied.
Selina laughed a bit, eyeing him suspiciously for a moment, then headed to the door.
"Alright, goodbye then. I'll see you when you get home." She said as she left.
Selina joined Kevin just outside the train and they found a compartment to themselves. The train soon began to move, and Kevin decided that it was time to ask.
"Selina?"
Selina turned to face him and smiled.
"Yes?"
"You know I love you with all my heart." Kevin said.
"Of course I do, and I love you just as much." Selina replied.
Kevin smiled, then began to sing softly; "JustThe Way You Are" by Billy Joel.
He then got down on one knee in front of Selina and took her hands in his.
"Selina, will you marry me?"
Selina was taken by complete surprise and simply stared at him, wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
"Selina?" Kevin asked again.
"I will." Selina breathed, barely able to find her voice.
Kevin got up and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you." He whispered, as Selina buried her head in his shoulder, a few tears of joy falling from her eyes.
Kevin wiped the tears away, then pulled a ring from his pocket and slipping it on her finger.
Selina smiled and let out a slight laugh.
"Is this what you've been hiding from me?"
"Of course. It was worth waiting for, I hope." Kevin replied.
"It defiantly was." Selina replied with a smile.
"When did you tell my father?"
"Last night, but how did you know?" Kevin asked.
"He was acting a little odd this morning, I knew something was up." Selina replied
Kevin laughed. Selina then looked down at the ring on her finger.
"It's beautiful." She said.
Kevin placed his hand on her chin, and tilted it towards him so that she looked him directly in the eyes.
"As are you."
Selina blushed a bit and put her head on his shoulder. Kevin smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you, my soon to be wife." He whispered softly, adding a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"I love you too." Selina replied.
Thetrain soon arrived at platform 9 3/4. Selina and Kevin walked off together and gathered their things.
"Come visit me over the summer?" Kevin asked, as he always did at this point.
"Of course, we have a wedding to plan now." Selina replied with a smile.
"You're quite right. I'll see you soon then." Kevin replied, kissing her one last time before they separated.
Selina smiled and kissed him back then headed off to her house. Kevin watched her go, then met up with his parents.
"Well, did you ask?" Kevin's father asked.
"Yes." Kevin replied.
"And? What did she say?" His father continued.
"She said yes." Kevin replied with a large smile.
"Oh, Kevin! Congratulations!" Kevin's mother said happily.
"I knew she would." His father added with a smile, as they all headed home together.
Severus returned home a few days later and found Selina in the backyard, reading.
"Well, is my daughter a bride to be?" He asked.
"Yes." Selina replied with a smile.
"Welcome home, father."
Severus went and sat beside his daughter.
"You'll be a wonderful wife, as you have been a daughter. He is very lucky to have won your heart."
Selina smiled.
"Thank you."
Selina and Kevin spent the next few months planning the wedding together.
As they were doing so, Kevin's parents were meeting with Severus to plan a surprise engagement party for them.
In mid August, the engagement party took place, and Selina and Kevin quite enjoyed themselves, being pleasantly surprised; most everyone on they're guest list was present.
Near the end of the party, Kevin's father put some music on, while Severus approached Selina and Kevin.
"Alright you two, get up there and dance. Call it practice for the big night. You do, after all have to have at least one dance together while engaged." He said.
Selina giggled a bit as Kevin gave in, stood up, and extended his hand to her. She took it and he pulled her gently to her feet, then they danced to "Only Time" by Enya.
By the end of the song, most everyone had found someone to dance with and was dancing.
Even Severus had given in and was dancing with Kevin's sister, Isidora, who had shown up after much persuasion, as she had run away from home at the age of 10.
A few songs later, everyone left and headed home.
As it was a warm summer evening, Kevin chose to walk Selina home.
"Our parents seem to be getting along well." Selina said a short time after they left.
"Well, our fathers were apparently friends at school." Kevin replied.
"Yes, I seem to remember hearing something about that, but it's still good that they get along." Selina said.
"Yes, that it is." Kevin said with a smile.
A while later, they arrived at Selina's house.
"Well, I suppose I'll see you later." Kevin said. "I had a wonderful time tonight."
"As did I. What say we end it properly?" Selina asked with a smile.
Kevin didn't need to be asked twice. He leaned towards Selina and kissed her rather passionately. Selina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
"I hate to interrupt, but if the two of you would be so kind as to step aside and allow me to enter my house, I would be much obliged and will go on my way, pretending I saw nothing." Severus' voice announced his arrival home.
Selina and Kevin broke apart in a fit of laughter.
"I'm terribly sorry, Severus." Kevin said, stepping away from the door.
"The door to your house and your daughter are returned to you."
"I thank you, Kevin. Good evening." Severus replied with a smile, entering the house.
Selina smiled, gave Kevin a quick kiss goodnight on the cheek, then followed her father.
The wedding had been planned for mid October, and the big day soon arrived.
Selina was quite nervous, but, with a little help from her cousin Krista, who was to be her maid of honour, she appeared quite calm on the outside.
The two of them spent the morning and part of the afternoon together getting ready.
"Well, you ready?" Krista asked when it was time.
Selina took a deep breath, then nodded.
"Well, lets go meet your father then." Krista said, taking Selina by the hand and leading her from the room.
They met up with Severus at the back door to Selina's house.
As they had planned a fairly small wedding, it was to take place in the backyard. Severus smiled as his daughter approached.
"Selina, you look lovely." He said.
Selina smiled.
"Thank you."
"Well, it's time." Severus said, taking Selina's arm and nodding to Krista.
Krista smiled and left the house, signalling the start of the wedding.
The wedding went along perfectly, and Selina and Kevin soon found themselves kissing as husband and wife.
As they walked back up the aisle together, Kevin leaned over to Selina and whispered.
"I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?" Selina asked.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." Kevin replied as they re-entered the house,
He led her to the front door, then stopped.
"Close your eyes." He said with a mysterious smile.
Selina eyed him suspiciously, then closed her eyes.
"Good, now keep them closed." Kevin said, taking her hands and leading her outside. He soon stopped and moved aside.
"Ok, you can open your eyes now."
Selina opened her eyes and smiled widely at what she saw. Kevin had gotten a beautiful horse drawn carriage to take them to the hall, in which the reception was to take place, thus fulfilling her dream wedding.
"Oh, Kevin! It's wonderful!" Selina exclaimed, kissing him on the cheek and gaining quite the cheer from the crowd that had gathered behind them.
"Ready to go?" Kevin asked.
"Just a second." Selina replied, turning and throwing her bouquet, which Krista happened to catch, gaining a smile from Selina.
"Alright, now we can go." She said.
Kevin smiled, took her hand, and helped her into the carriage. He then climbed up and sate beside her as the carriage began to move. They both turned back and waved to the still cheering crowd.
They stopped at a nearby park for photos with their parents, then continued on to the reception hall.
They were the last to arrive, and made their way along the line of well wishers, heading towards their table.
When everyone had taken their seats, dinner was served and everyone ate while talking about the wedding and other memories.
After dinner, Selina and Kevin cut the cake, then shared a piece, laughing as they attempted to feed each other at the same time.
When everyone had finished eating, Kevin's parents, Severus, Selina, and Kevin made speeches. Selina's emotions got the better of her during her speech, and she found herself in tears of joy. However, it only took her a few moments to calm down as Kevin pulled her into a hug.
After the speeches, Selina and Kevin shared their first dance as a couple; "Groovy Kind Of Love"by Phil Collins.
Then Selina danced with her father, while Kevin danced with his mother; "Don't Worry" by Appleton.
"Selina?" Severus asked as they danced.
"Hmm?" Selina replied.
"You know, I asked for this song specifically." Severus said.
"Why might that be?" Asked Selina.
"Well, for two reasons really. The first being that it expresses what I'd like to say to you; that I'll always be there for you if you need me." Severus started.
Selina smiled.
"And the second reason is that this was your mother and I's wedding song." Severus finished.
"Thank you for sharing it." Selina said.
Severus smiled.
"I haven't seen you this happy since before your mother died."
Selina looked down.
"I miss her. I wish she could be here."
"I'm sure she's here in spirit. She'd always say that if she was to die before you were married, and had the option to come back for just one day, it would be your wedding day." Severus replied.
Selina looked up at him again and smiled a bit.
"That makes me feel a little better, thanks."
When the song had ended, they switched again, so that Selina was dancing with Kevin's father, Kevin was dancing with Krista, and Severus was dancing with Kevin's mother. At this point, everyone else was dancing as well.
"I'd like to thank you for making Kevin so happy." Kevin's father said.
Selina smiled.
"It was quite the easy thing to do, he's a wonderful guy."
"He's lucky to have you, you're quite wonderful yourself." Kevin's father replied, causing Selina to blush a little.
"Don't they make a lovely couple?" Kevin's mother asked Severus.
"They defiantly do, they're perfect for each other." Severus replied.
The night continued on in this way, and ended quite late. Selina and Kevin said goodbye to everyone, then headed off in their carriage for their honeymoon and the beginning of their new life as husband and wife.
Another author's note: sniff It's all over...that's the end. Isn't it sad...in a happy sort of way? I mean, it's sad that it's over, but it's happy because it was just an overall happy chapter (unless you wanted to see Selina marry Eric that is).
A quick note about the sequel and prequel. If you choose to read them, the prequel in particular, some of the things from this fic will make more sense, but it's not required to read, I'll leave it entirely up to you.
And with all this out of the way, I will bid farewell to this fic, and move on to my others, the 3 neglected ones as well as the prequel and sequel.
Don't forget about the fanmail site. You can leave any questions/comments/etc for Jackie, myself or any of the readers even, so long as they've joined.
So, goodbye, "An Awful Experience"!